Jacob Chansley

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{{Infobox criminal

| name = Jacob Chansley

| image = Jacob Chansley (53423556636) (cropped).jpg

| image_upright =

| landscape =

| alt = Chansley in his shaman dress at an event in Phoenix, Arizona.

| caption = Chansley in 2023

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| pronunciation =

| birth_name = Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1988}}

| birth_place =

| nationality =

| other_names = {{Flatlist|

Q Shaman
QAnon Shaman
Yellowstone Wolf

}}

| education = Glendale Community College

| boards =

| conviction = Obstructing an official proceeding (18 U.S.C. § 1512)

| criminal_penalty = 41 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and $2000 fine

| criminal_status = Pardoned

| locations = Washington, D.C.

| apprehended = January 9, 2021

| date = January 6, 2021

| module = {{Infobox military person

|embed = yes

|embed_title = Military career

|branch = United States Navy

|serviceyears = 2005–2007

|rank = Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice

|unit = USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)

}}

| party = Libertarian

}}

Jacob Anthony Chansley (born 1988), also known as Jake Angeli,[https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/arizona-man-sentenced-41-months-prison-felony-charge-jan-6-capitol-breach Arizona Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison On Felony Charge in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach], justice.gov. Accessed May 1, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://es.euronews.com/2021/01/07/quien-es-q-shaman-el-joven-con-cuernos-que-entro-en-el-capitolio|language=es|website=Euronews|date=January 7, 2021|title=¿Quién es Q-Shaman, el joven con cuernos que entró en el Capitolio?|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107120944/https://es.euronews.com/2021/01/07/quien-es-q-shaman-el-joven-con-cuernos-que-entro-en-el-capitolio|url-status=live}} also known as the QAnon Shaman,{{cite magazine |last=Tollefson |first=Jeff |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Tracking QAnon: how Trump turned conspiracy-theory research upside down |url=https://media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-021-00257-y/d41586-021-00257-y.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Nature |volume=590 |pages=192–193 |publisher=Nature Research |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-00257-y |doi-access=free |issn=1476-4687 |lccn=12037118 |pmid=33542489 |s2cid=231818589 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427105931/https://media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-021-00257-y/d41586-021-00257-y.pdf |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=October 7, 2021}} Q Shaman,{{cite journal |last=Crossley |first=James |date=September 2021 |title=The Apocalypse and Political Discourse in an Age of COVID |journal=Journal for the Study of the New Testament |publisher=SAGE Publications |volume=44 |issue=1 |pages=93–111 |doi=10.1177/0142064X211025464 |doi-access=free |issn=1745-5294 |s2cid=237329082}} and Yellowstone Wolf,{{cite news |last1=Schapiro |first1=Rich |last2=Kosnar |first2=Michael |title=Capitol rioter in horned hat gloats as feds work to identify suspects |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/capitol-rioter-horned-hat-gloats-feds-work-identify-suspects-n1253392 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=NBC News |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109034118/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/capitol-rioter-horned-hat-gloats-feds-work-identify-suspects-n1253392 |url-status=live}} is an American who participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack,{{cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Hannah |last2=Polantz |first2=Katelyn |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/17/politics/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-january-6-sentencing/index.html |title='QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley sentenced to 41 months in prison for role in US Capitol riot |work=CNN |date=November 17, 2021 |language=en |access-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121004008/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/11/17/politics/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-january-6-sentencing/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite book |author1-last=Bloom |author1-first=Mia |author2-last=Moskalenko |author2-first=Sophia |year=2021 |chapter=Capitol Hill, The Failed Insurrection |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdEtEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT40 |title=Pastels and Pedophiles: Inside the Mind of QAnon |location=Stanford, California |publisher=Stanford University Press |page=40 |isbn=9781503630291 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909134337/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdEtEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT40 |url-status=live}} for which he pled guilty to obstructing an official proceeding. He is a supporter of Donald Trump and a former believer and disseminator of the QAnon conspiracy theory.{{Cite web |title=QAnon |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/qanon |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=ADL}}{{cite news |first=Julie |last=Gerstein |title=The QAnon Shaman says he's willing to testify at Trump's impeachment trial — against the president |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-wants-to-testify-at-trump-impeachment-2021-1?r=DE&IR=T |access-date=February 20, 2021 |work=Business Insider |date=January 29, 2021 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212173006/https://www.businessinsider.com/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-wants-to-testify-at-trump-impeachment-2021-1?r=DE&IR=T |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Bill |title=Face-painted man in horned fur cap at Capitol riot supports Trump and QAnon, not antifa |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jan/07/facebook-posts/face-painted-man-horned-fur-cap-capitol-riot-suppo/ |website=PolitiFact |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107070126/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jan/07/facebook-posts/face-painted-man-horned-fur-cap-capitol-riot-suppo/ |url-status=live}}

Chansley attended demonstrations in the Phoenix, Arizona area starting around 2019, including a march supporting climate strikes. At rallies, he promoted conspiracy theories supporting Trump, and he has been a counterprotester at Black Lives Matter events. His appearance, with face paint using the colors and symbols of the American flag and a headdress made of fur helped to establish his shaman nicknames.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

After being photographed taking part in the January 6 storming of the Capitol, Chansley was arrested on January 9 on federal charges of "Civil Disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building; Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building."{{Cite web |date=2021-02-04 |title=District of Columbia {{!}} CHANSLEY, Jacob Anthony (aka Jacob Angeli) {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/chansley-jacob-anthony |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Ruelas|first=Richard|title=Unsealed indictment reveals more counts against Jake Angeli, QAnon shaman, for U.S. Capitol raid|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2021/01/13/federal-indictment-jake-angeli-chansley-fur-horn-hat-qanon-shaman-capitol-raid/4145493001/|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=January 17, 2021|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|language=en-US|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119022753/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2021/01/13/federal-indictment-jake-angeli-chansley-fur-horn-hat-qanon-shaman-capitol-raid/4145493001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=January 14, 2021|title=Seeking Information (Violence At The United States Capitol)|url=https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/violence-at-the-united-states-capitol-6/wfo-6-1-14-2021.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119022751/https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/violence-at-the-united-states-capitol-6/wfo-6-1-14-2021.pdf|archive-date=January 19, 2021|access-date=January 16, 2021|website=FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)|type=wanted poster (shows Jake Angeli as already arrested, in 3rd picture when going left to right.)|quote="Arrested"}}{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/three-men-charged-connection-events-us-capitol|title=Three Men Charged in Connection with Events at U.S. Capitol|publisher=United States Department of Justice|date=January 9, 2021|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109162252/https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/three-men-charged-connection-events-us-capitol|url-status=live}} He pleaded guilty to a single charge in September, and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 36 months supervised release in November 2021.{{cite news |last1=Jackman |first1=Tom |title='QAnon shaman' sentenced to 41 months for role in Capitol riot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-sentence/2021/11/17/59d9ce26-47b1-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118004508/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-sentence/2021/11/17/59d9ce26-47b1-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html |url-status=live}} He served out a portion of his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution - Safford in Safford, Arizona, and was transferred to a halfway house on March 28, 2023,{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6267335/jan-6-qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-early-prison/|title=The Real Reason the Jan. 6 'QAnon Shaman' Was Released Early|date=March 30, 2023|magazine=Time}}{{cite news |last=MacFarlane |first=Scott |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-early-federal-prison-halfway-house-jan-6/ |title='QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley released early from federal prison, transferred to halfway house |work=CBS News |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330162705/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-early-federal-prison-halfway-house-jan-6/ |url-status=live}} from which he was released on May 25, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4020891-qanon-shaman-released-from-halfway-house/|title='QAnon Shaman' released from halfway house|work=The Hill|first=Jared|last=Gans|date=2023-05-25|accessdate=2023-05-26|archive-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527210833/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4020891-qanon-shaman-released-from-halfway-house/|url-status=live}}

On January 20, 2025, after beginning his second term in office, President Trump issued pardons to roughly 1,500 individuals charged with crimes connected to the January 6 attack, including Chansley.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/aqnon-shaman-jacob-chansley-trump-pardon-b2683533.html|title=‘QAnon Shaman’ Jacob Chansley says he will ‘buy some motha f***in guns’ after Trump pardon|work=The Independent|first=James|last=Liddell|date=2025-01-21|accessdate=2025-01-21}}

Early life and education

Jacob Anthony Chansley was born in 1988 and raised by a single mother, Martha Chansley.{{cite web|date=January 8, 2021|title=Multiple "QAnon Shaman" videos resurface after Jake Angeli leads siege of Capitol|url=https://www.newsweek.com/qanon-shaman-jake-angeli-trump-capitol-1560055|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Newsweek|first=Ewan|last=Palmer|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108163458/https://www.newsweek.com/qanon-shaman-jake-angeli-trump-capitol-1560055|url-status=live}} He attended Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and Glendale Community College, where he completed some coursework in psychology, religion, philosophy and ceramics.{{cite web|date=January 8, 2021|title=Mom of furry-hatted Capitol rioter from Arizona defends his patriotism|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/state/mom-of-furry-hatted-capitol-rioter-from-arizona-defends-his-patriotism|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=KNXV|first=Melissa|last=Blasius|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108042241/https://www.abc15.com/news/state/mom-of-furry-hatted-capitol-rioter-from-arizona-defends-his-patriotism|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kunkle |first1=Fredrick |title=Trump supporter in horns and fur is charged in Capitol riot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/jacob-chansely-horn-qanon-capitol-riot/2021/01/09/5d3c2c96-52b9-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111054231/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/jacob-chansely-horn-qanon-capitol-riot/2021/01/09/5d3c2c96-52b9-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html |url-status=live}}

Career

Chansley enlisted in the United States Navy on September 26, 2005. After basic training and training as a supply clerk, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in March 2006. At some point, he refused to take an anthrax vaccine and was scheduled for discharge from the Navy. On September 29, 2007, he was sent to a Transient Personnel Unit in Puget Sound in Washington, and was processed out of the Navy on October 11. After two years and 15 days in uniform, his final rank was Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice.{{cite web |title='QAnon Shaman' charged with storming the Capitol is a Navy veteran |last=Ziezulewicz |first=Geoff |website=Navy Times |date=January 11, 2021 |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/01/12/qanon-shaman-charged-with-storming-the-capitol-is-a-navy-veteran/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119022752/https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/01/12/qanon-shaman-charged-with-storming-the-capitol-is-a-navy-veteran/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2021|title=The 'QAnon shaman' guy got kicked out of the Navy for refusing a vaccine|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/qanon-shaman-guy-navy-veteran-vaccine/|access-date=January 13, 2021|website=Task & Purpose|first=James|last=Clark|language=en-US|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113220555/https://taskandpurpose.com/news/qanon-shaman-guy-navy-veteran-vaccine/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Harkins |first=Gina |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/11/qanon-shaman-arrested-storming-us-capitol-navy-veteran.html |title='QAnon Shaman' Arrested for Storming the US Capitol Is a Navy Veteran |work=Military.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114081111/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/11/qanon-shaman-arrested-storming-us-capitol-navy-veteran.html |url-status=live}} His military awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.

Chansley self-published two books: Will & Power: Inside the Living Library (Volume 1), published in 2017 under the pen name Loan Wolf; and One Mind at a Time: A Deep State of Illusion, published in 2020 under the name Jacob Angeli. He produced and narrated 11 videos espousing various conspiracy theories and uploaded them to the platform Rumble in late 2020.{{cite web|url=https://rumble.com/search/video?q=YellowstoneWolfAZ|title=Search results for: YellowstoneWolfAZ|website=Rumble|date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112213935/https://rumble.com/search/video?q=YellowstoneWolfAZ|url-status=live}}

Chansley had a profile on the Backstage website seeking work as an actor.{{Cite web|date=January 8, 2021|title=Jake Angeli: What we know about the 'QAnon shaman' who stormed the US Capitol|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/jake-angeli-qanon-shaman-stormed-capitol-b1784091.html|access-date=January 12, 2021|website=The Independent|first=Graig|last=Graziosi|language=en|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113145322/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/jake-angeli-qanon-shaman-stormed-capitol-b1784091.html|url-status=live}} In November 2023, he filed a candidate statement of interest to run as a Libertarian in the 2024 election for Arizona's 8th congressional district,{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-rioter-arizona-congress-chansley-33de9a9f4ff1ea35cd12d9719a2f2987 |title=Capitol rioter plans 2024 run as a Libertarian candidate in Arizona's 8th congressional district |date=November 12, 2023 |work=AP News}} but later failed to submit any petition signatures to get on the ballot.{{cite journal |last1=Packer |first1=George |title=WHAT WILL BECOME OF AMERICAN CIVILIZATION? 4. Sunshine Patriots |journal=The Atlantic |date=June 10, 2024 |pages=69–70 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/07/phoenix-climate-drought-republican-politics/678494/ |access-date=25 June 2024}}

Role in conspiratorial movement

Chansley was formerly a supporter of Donald Trump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/07/jake-angeli-qanon-shaman-arizona-heart-capitol-riots/|title=Jake Angeli: The 'QAnon shaman' from Arizona at the heart of the Capitol riots|first=Jamie|last=Johnson|date=January 7, 2021|work=The Telegraph|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107143810/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/07/jake-angeli-qanon-shaman-arizona-heart-capitol-riots/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/horned-shirtless-man-at-the-capitol-demonstration-identified/|title=Horned, shirtless man at the Capitol demonstration identified|date=January 6, 2021|work=ABC News 8|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107084944/https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/horned-shirtless-man-at-the-capitol-demonstration-identified/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Snow |first1=Anita |last2=Goldman |first2=David |last3=Pane |first3=Lisa Marie |title=Biden win sparks smattering of protests; most stay peaceful |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20201107/news/311079954 |website=Daily Herald |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=November 7, 2020 |location=Chicago |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106214235/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20201107/news/311079954 |url-status=live}} He has a social media following and has attended rallies supporting QAnon, mostly in and around Phoenix.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/01/06/arizona-qanon-supporter-jake-angeli-joins-storming-u-s-capitol/6568513002/|title=Longtime Arizona QAnon supporter in horned helmet joins storming of U.S. Capitol|first=Richard|last=Ruelas|website=The Arizona Republic|access-date=January 7, 2021|date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111190615/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/01/06/arizona-qanon-supporter-jake-angeli-joins-storming-u-s-capitol/6568513002/|url-status=live}} At various rallies in Arizona, he shouted about QAnon conspiracy theories and carried a sign that said "Q Sent Me!"{{cite news |last=Stapleton |first=Erica |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Jake Angeli: The story behind the horned Arizona protester in the Capitol unrest |work=KPNX |url=https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/jake-angeli-the-story-behind-the-horned-arizona-protester-in-the-capitol-unrest/75-6eb27627-e53a-4ce5-83f8-15ee0aac0149 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109020648/https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/jake-angeli-the-story-behind-the-horned-arizona-protester-in-the-capitol-unrest/75-6eb27627-e53a-4ce5-83f8-15ee0aac0149 |url-status=live}}

Chansley frequently protested alone outside the Arizona Capitol, espousing various conspiracy theories, in 2019. He was described by The Arizona Republic as a shamanic practitioner when attending a climate activism protest in Arizona;{{cite news |title=Hundreds march in Arizona in solidarity with climate strikes around the world |url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/arizona-environment/2019/09/20/hundreds-march-arizona-solidarity-climate-strikes-around-world/2391592001/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |date=September 20, 2019 |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111190605/https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/arizona-environment/2019/09/20/hundreds-march-arizona-solidarity-climate-strikes-around-world/2391592001/ |url-status=live}} and his ideology has been described as ecofascist.{{cite news |last1=Milman |first1=Oliver |title=Climate denial is waning on the right. What's replacing it might be just as scary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/21/climate-denial-far-right-immigration |work=The Guardian |date=November 21, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121082038/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/21/climate-denial-far-right-immigration |url-status=live}} In early 2020 he told The Arizona Republic that he began wearing a fur hat and face paint to attract attention, so that he could then talk about QAnon and "other truths".{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=David |title=Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay denies being at D.C. riot: 'I wasn't with all those freaks' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-jamiroquai-jay-kay-not-at-capitol-riot-dc-20210107-d3iwmdakabd4xmj3p2lasodr5e-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=New York Daily News |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108215102/https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-jamiroquai-jay-kay-not-at-capitol-riot-dc-20210107-d3iwmdakabd4xmj3p2lasodr5e-story.html |url-status=live}} He appeared at a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in the Phoenix area in order to spread the QAnon conspiracy theory.{{Cite web|last=Choiniere|first=Alyssa|date=January 7, 2021|title='Jake Angeli', Whose Real Name Is Jacob Chansley, Has Been Arrested|url=https://heavy.com/news/jake-angeli-q-shaman/|access-date=January 11, 2021|website=Heavy.com|language=en-US|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110125251/https://heavy.com/news/jake-angeli-q-shaman/|url-status=live}}

Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Chansley's protests focused on challenging the results of the vote in Arizona.{{cite news|title=Hundreds gather outside state Capitol to protest Ducey stay-at-home order|url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/phoenix/2020/05/03/coronavirus-arizona-protest-ducey-stay-home-order-outside-captiol/3075637001/|access-date=January 8, 2021|date=May 3, 2020|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111190616/https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/phoenix/2020/05/03/coronavirus-arizona-protest-ducey-stay-home-order-outside-captiol/3075637001/|url-status=live}} He camped outside the Maricopa County Courthouse during the vote counting process,{{cite magazine|title=Scenes from Election Protests in Maricopa County Arizona|url=https://time.com/5908628/maricopa-county-arizona-protests/|access-date=January 8, 2021|date=November 6, 2020|magazine=Time|first=Paul|last=Moakley|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214111932/https://time.com/5908628/maricopa-county-arizona-protests/|url-status=live}} and gave a speech at a rally there on November 7, the day that Joe Biden was declared president-elect, saying, "This election has not been called! Don't believe that lie! They got their hands caught in the cookie jar and we're going to the Supreme Court! Trump always looks like he's going to lose. And then he wins."

= Participation in the 2021 Capitol attack =

During the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Chansley entered the Senate floor in the Capitol wearing his "shamanic" attire, including a bison-horned fur headdress and war paint in red, white and blue, carrying a {{convert|6|ft|m|spell=in|adj=mid|-high}} spear with an American flag tied below the spear head.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Sophia |title=Capitol Rioter Seen in Horned Hat, Carrying Spear Arrested: US Attorney |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/capitol-rioter-seen-in-horned-hat-carrying-spear-arrested-us-attorney/2535850/ |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=NBC Washington 4 |date=January 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109165443/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/capitol-rioter-seen-in-horned-hat-carrying-spear-arrested-us-attorney/2535850/ |url-status=live}} He was photographed standing on the raised platform in front of Vice President Mike Pence's chair in the Senate chamber, gaining him significant media attention. He later said police had initially blocked the crowd from entry, but had then specifically allowed them entry, at which point he entered.{{cite news|last=Gabbatt|first=Adam|date=January 7, 2021|title=Faces of extremism: the rioters behind the attack on the US Capitol|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/capitol-attack-rioters-jake-angeli-richard-barnett|access-date=January 8, 2021|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108000935/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/capitol-attack-rioters-jake-angeli-richard-barnett|url-status=live}} On March 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. released previously unseen video footage of Chansley entering the Capitol building after windows were smashed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2021/03/16/jake-angeli-jacob-chansley-video-shows-storming-capitol/4716926001/|title=Court releases video of Jake Angeli, who mobbed U.S. Capitol in fur hat and horns|first=Richard|last=Ruelas|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|access-date=March 17, 2021|date=March 16, 2021|archive-date=March 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317192722/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2021/03/16/jake-angeli-jacob-chansley-video-shows-storming-capitol/4716926001/|url-status=live}} Several media outlets have noted that outfit resembled that of British acid jazz band Jamiroquai’s lead singer Jay Kay, which led to Kay jokingly denying his involvement in the riots.{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/music/jamiroquai-singer-jay-kay-not-capitol-riot-viking/ | title=Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay says he's not Capitol riot Viking: 'I wasn't with all those freaks' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}

Video footage presented by Tucker Carlson on Fox News in March 2023 depicted Chansley walking through the Capitol building in the company of police officers who appeared to make no visible effort to stop him. Carlson, who was given exclusive access to the security footage by a top congressional Republican, characterized the officers as "tour guides" for Chansley and noted that none of the officers arrested him.{{Cite news |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Fox News host Tucker Carlson not credible, says White House |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64883668 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308212312/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64883668 |url-status=live}} U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger denounced Carlson's segment, calling the show "filled with offensive and misleading conclusions." Manger specifically took issue with Carlson's claim that Capitol Police officers acted as "tour guides" for Chansley. He maintained that Capitol Police officers were badly outnumbered and did their best to use de-escalation tactics to try to talk rioters into leaving the building.{{Cite news |last=Jackman |first=Tom |title=Capitol Police chief blasts Tucker Carlson over 'misleading' Jan. 6 footage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/03/07/capitol-police-tucker-carlson-footage/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309154930/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/03/07/capitol-police-tucker-carlson-footage/ |url-status=live}} Chansley's attorney claimed to have no prior knowledge of the footage, noting that the government is obligated to disclose all evidence{{snd}}especially exculpatory evidence{{snd}}and that here the government failed to do so. Because Chansley pleaded guilty, it remains unclear whether this error could cause court proceedings to be affected. The prosecution at the time he pleaded guilty had said they were still reviewing evidence.{{Cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Rabinowitz |first2=Katelyn |last2=Polantz |first3=Holmes |last3=Lybrand |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Tucker Carlson's airing of security footage spills into January 6 criminal court cases |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/politics/tucker-carlson-january-6-court-cases-us-capitol/index.html |access-date=March 9, 2023 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309175339/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/politics/tucker-carlson-january-6-court-cases-us-capitol/index.html |url-status=live}}

Court transcripts reveal Chansley told the FBI that he had traveled to the Capitol "as a part of a group effort, with other 'patriots' from Arizona, at the request of the President that all 'patriots' come to DC on January 6, 2021".{{cite news|last=Polantz|first=Katelyn|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/capitol-riots-investigation-trump-news-saturday/h_618e29aa580e9031519b7d79449c9b85|title=US Capitol rioter in headdress told FBI he came to Washington based on prompt from Trump|work=CNN|date=January 9, 2021|access-date=January 10, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109182335/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/capitol-riots-investigation-trump-news-saturday/h_618e29aa580e9031519b7d79449c9b85|url-status=live}} Prior to the Capitol being invaded, Chansley called out for the demonstrators to pause and join him in prayer, saying, "Thank you for allowing the United States to be reborn. We love you and we thank you. In Christ's holy name, we pray."{{cite news |last1=Jelten |first1=Tom |title=Militant Christian Nationalists Remain A Potent Force, Even After The Capitol Riot |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/19/958159202/militant-christian-nationalists-remain-a-potent-force |work=NPR |date=January 19, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218015609/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/19/958159202/militant-christian-nationalists-remain-a-potent-force |url-status=live}} After the riot, Chansley told reporters, "The fact that we had a bunch of our traitors in office hunker down, put on their gas masks and retreat into their underground bunker, I consider that a win."

Chansley was listed as a person of interest with the Washington DC Police on January 8. Interviewed while wanted, Chansley said that he believed he did nothing wrong, telling NBC: "I walked through an open door, dude."{{Failed verification|date=April 2024}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2024}}{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Ruelas |first1=Richard |title=Jake Angeli, Arizona's 'QAnon shaman,' pleads guilty to felony obstruction, could get 5 years |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2021/09/02/jake-angeli-jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-pleads-guilty-jan-6-capitol-riot/5704512001/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Arizona Republic |date=2 September 2021 |quote=[Judge Royce Lamberth of D.C. federal court] cited video that showed Angeli walking into the Capitol through a door while people were climbing through a nearby broken window as evidence he was part of the initial incursion of the building. Lamberth wrote that Angeli 'quite literally spearheaded' the entry into the Capitol.}} Chansley told KPNX that he "wasn't worried" about possible charges on January 8. Chansley had no criminal record in Arizona before taking part in the riot.

== Arrest and criminal proceedings ==

Chansley was arrested and brought up on U.S. federal charges of "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds", on January 9. A Capitol police special agent was quoted as saying that he identified Chansley by his "unique attire and extensive tattoos covering his arms and left side of his torso".{{cite news|last1=Ruelas|first1=Richard|last2=Harris|first2=Craig|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/09/jake-angeli-qanon-man-fur-hat-horns-capitol-riot-arrested/6609039002/|title=Jake Angeli, who wore fur hat and horns as mob raided U.S. Capitol, arrested and charged|work=USA Today|date=January 9, 2021|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109192040/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/09/jake-angeli-qanon-man-fur-hat-horns-capitol-riot-arrested/6609039002/|url-status=live}} Chansley voluntarily spoke to the Washington Field Office of the FBI prior to his arrest.{{cite news |last1=Lonas |first1=Lexi |title=Fur-clad man who entered Capitol says he acted after Trump put out call to 'patriots' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/533490-fur-clad-man-who-entered-capitol-says-he-acted-after-trump-put-out-call-to-patriots |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=The Hill |date=January 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109191738/https://thehill.com/homenews/533490-fur-clad-man-who-entered-capitol-says-he-acted-after-trump-put-out-call-to-patriots |url-status=live}} In a January 14 court filing, federal prosecutors said that Chansley had left a note on Pence's desk in the Senate chamber that said "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming."{{cite news |last1=Armus |first1=Teo |title=Rioters wanted to 'capture and assassinate' lawmakers, prosecutors say. A note left by the 'QAnon Shaman' is evidence. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/15/qanon-shaman-trump-kill-pardon/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115124846/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/15/qanon-shaman-trump-kill-pardon/ |url-status=live}}

While jailed awaiting trial, Chansley refused to eat because the food served was not organic.{{cite web|work=Fox News|title=Shirtless, horned Capitol rioter refuses to eat because jail won't serve organic food|date=January 12, 2021|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/shirtless-horned-capitol-rioter-refuses-jail-food-not-organic|first=Vandana|last=Rambaran|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112172947/https://www.foxnews.com/us/shirtless-horned-capitol-rioter-refuses-jail-food-not-organic|url-status=live}} Subsequently, a court ordered that he receive organic food.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/1/12/22228089/pro-trump-rioter-jake-angeli-organic-food-in-jail|title=Pro-Trump rioter will reportedly be fed the organic food he wants in jail|work=Revolt|first=Isha|last=Thorpe|date=January 12, 2021|access-date=January 13, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113164618/https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/1/12/22228089/pro-trump-rioter-jake-angeli-organic-food-in-jail|url-status=live}}

Chansley was represented by St. Louis attorney Albert Watkins starting in January 2021 until his guilty plea on September 2.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/03/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-pleads-guilty-in-capitol-riot-case-.html |title=QAnon shaman Jacob Chansley pleads guilty in Capitol riot case |work=CNBC |first=Dan |last=Mangan |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908051135/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/03/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-pleads-guilty-in-capitol-riot-case-.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.kmov.com/news/slimeball-lives-matter-mccloskey-attorney-responds-to-leaked-messages/article_5e46be90-f769-11ea-bbaf-b749772caf77.html |title='Slimeball Lives Matter' {{!}} McCloskey attorney responds to leaked messages |date=September 15, 2020 |website=KMOV |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117183207/https://www.kmov.com/news/slimeball-lives-matter-mccloskey-attorney-responds-to-leaked-messages/article_5e46be90-f769-11ea-bbaf-b749772caf77.html |url-status=live}} In a written statement, Watkins argued that Chansley had no part in the violence, did not hide his identity, was unarmed, not destructive, and followed the instructions of law enforcement officials in a respectful fashion; and that Chansley was carrying a megaphone so his voice could be heard. He also presented evidence Chansley had been diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder while serving the Navy.{{cite web|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-brings-on-former-kyle-rittenhouse-attorney-ahead-of-expected-appeal-john-pierce-albert-watkins-donald-trump/65-01defcd7-6367-4481-88ee-1f4dbafe2e95|title='QAnon Shaman' brings on former Rittenhouse attorney ahead of expected appeal|last1=Fischer|first1=Jordan|last2=Flack|first2=Eric|last3=Wilson|first3=Stephanie|work=WUSA9|date=November 29, 2021|access-date=April 4, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127221129/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-brings-on-former-kyle-rittenhouse-attorney-ahead-of-expected-appeal-john-pierce-albert-watkins-donald-trump/65-01defcd7-6367-4481-88ee-1f4dbafe2e95|url-status=live}} He said in an interview with KSDK in St. Louis, "[Chansley] is responsible for his actions. He regrets where he is today".{{cite news |last=Cole |first=Ashley |url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/al-watkins-representing-jake-angeli-capitol-riot/63-e0b65042-b133-464a-a3a3-d32a0a0cd0af |title=St. Louis lawyer representing Capitol rioter seen in viral photos says Trump should pardon him |work=WTIC-TV |date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121120722/https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/al-watkins-representing-jake-angeli-capitol-riot/63-e0b65042-b133-464a-a3a3-d32a0a0cd0af |url-status=live}} Watkins publicly called on President Trump to pardon his client,{{Cite web|last=Back|first=George|title=Attorney for 'QAnon Shaman' says Trump has an 'obligation' to pardon his supporters who attacked Capitol|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/attorney-for-q-anon-shaman-says-trump-has-an-obligation-to-pardon-his-supporters-who-attacked-capitol-075628999.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115184905/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/attorney-for-q-anon-shaman-says-trump-has-an-obligation-to-pardon-his-supporters-who-attacked-capitol-075628999.html|archive-date=January 15, 2021|access-date=January 15, 2021 |date=January 15, 2021 |website=Yahoo|language=en-US}} arguing that Chansley had been unarmed, not violent or destructive, and had been acting on the "invitation" of the president.{{cite web|last=Lowry|first=Bryan|date=January 14, 2021|title=Missouri lawyer and Greitens foe takes 'QAnon Shaman' case after Capitol riot charges|url=https://www.kansascity.com/article248518380.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116220246/https://www.kansascity.com/article248518380.html|archive-date=January 16, 2021|access-date=January 18, 2021|work=Kansas City Star}} Later in January, Chansley made overtures for a presidential pardon from Trump through White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

When the pardon was not granted, Watkins said, "He [Chansley] regrets very very much having not just been duped by the President, but by being in a position where he allowed that duping to put him in a position to make decisions he should not have made."{{cite news |first=PJ |last=Randhawa |title=Capitol rioters express regret for participating in unrest after not getting a pardon from former President Trump |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/investigations/capitol-rioters-express-regret-for-participating-in-unrest-after-not-getting-a-pardon-from-president-trump/63-7a04e9f1-4f72-4704-bd79-0e0ca09c1552 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |date=January 22, 2021 |work=KSDK |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207004628/https://www.ksdk.com/amp/article/news/investigations/capitol-rioters-express-regret-for-participating-in-unrest-after-not-getting-a-pardon-from-president-trump/63-7a04e9f1-4f72-4704-bd79-0e0ca09c1552 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Ashley |last=Cole |title=St. Louis attorney's statement on client not being pardoned in Capitol riot |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-attorneys-statement-on-client-not-being-pardoned-in-capitol-riot/63-32553345-a5f3-4a13-9196-b4251643df56 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |date=January 20, 2021 |work=KSDK |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207004628/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-attorneys-statement-on-client-not-being-pardoned-in-capitol-riot/63-32553345-a5f3-4a13-9196-b4251643df56 |url-status=live}} According to Watkins, Chansley was prepared to testify against Trump in his second impeachment trial.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.5893813/capitol-hill-rioter-qanon-shaman-wants-to-testify-against-trump-says-lawyer-1.5893816 |title=Capitol Hill rioter 'QAnon Shaman' wants to testify against Trump, says lawyer |work=CBC Radio |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207004727/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.5893813/capitol-hill-rioter-qanon-shaman-wants-to-testify-against-trump-says-lawyer-1.5893816 |url-status=live}} However, the trial ended with Trump's acquittal without any witnesses being called.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-56054136|title=Donald Trump impeachment trial: Ex-president acquitted of inciting insurrection|website=BBC News|date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214225754/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-56054136|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967650922/agreement-reached-to-avoid-witnesses-in-trumps-impeachment-trial|title=Agreement Reached To Avoid Witnesses In Trump's Impeachment Trial|last=Naylor|first=Brian|date=February 13, 2021|work=NPR|access-date=February 14, 2021|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214025801/https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967650922/agreement-reached-to-avoid-witnesses-in-trumps-impeachment-trial|url-status=live}}

Federal judge Royce Lamberth ruled on March 8, 2021, that Chansley should not be released from jail, saying his lawyer's arguments were "so frivolous as to insult the Court's intelligence." In a written statement, the judge said the "defendant does not fully appreciate the severity of the allegations against him."{{cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Katie |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/09/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-jail/ |title='QAnon Shaman' stays in jail as judge slams his arguments: 'So frivolous as to insult the Court's intelligence' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309123627/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/09/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-jail/ |url-status=live}}

Chansley pleaded guilty to a single count of obstructing an official proceeding on September 3, 2021, and agreed to accept the prosecution's recommended sentence of 41 to 51 months in prison as part of the settlement. Earlier, his lawyer said Chansley broke away from QAnon and asked that it no longer be used in terms for him.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/nyregion/qanon-shaman-capitol-riot-guilty-plea.html |title=Capitol Rioter Known as QAnon Shaman Pleads Guilty |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Alan |last=Feuer |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903181914/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/nyregion/qanon-shaman-capitol-riot-guilty-plea.html |url-status=live}} Judge Lamberth turned down a request for release (Chansley wanted to visit his grandfather while Watkins wanted to provide him with shelter and care for his mental health) on the grounds that there was no convincing evidence that there would not be any risk of escape.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-jan-6-grandfather-release_n_613c2b41e4b00ff836ece5a2 |title=Judge Refuses To Release 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley Before Sentencing |work=HuffPost |first=Mary |last=Papenfuss |date=September 11, 2021 |access-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925010005/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jacob-chansley-qanon-shaman-jan-6-grandfather-release_n_613c2b41e4b00ff836ece5a2 |url-status=live}}

Chansley was sentenced to 41 months in prison on November 17.{{Cite magazine |first=Joe |last=Walsh |title='QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley Sentenced To 41 Months In Prison — One Of The Longest Capitol Riot Sentences So Far |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/11/17/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-sentenced-to-41-months-in-prison---one-of-the-longest-capitol-riot-sentences-so-far/ |magazine=Forbes |date=November 17, 2021}} He served his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution, Safford in Safford, Arizona,{{cite web | last=Johnson | first=Jon | title=QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley held at FCI-Safford | website=The Gila Herald | date=January 20, 2022 | url=https://gilaherald.com/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-held-at-fci-safford/ | access-date=March 9, 2023 | archive-date=January 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108072325/https://gilaherald.com/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-held-at-fci-safford/ | url-status=live}} with an original release date of May 25, 2024.{{cite web |title=Federal inmate tracker {{!}} Inmate Intake |url=https://inmateintake.com/inmates/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=Inmate Intake |id=Use "Lookup Inmate" search form with "Register number": 24866-509 |quote= |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327132432/https://inmateintake.com/inmates/ |url-status=live}} On March 30, 2023, attorney Albert Watkins announced Chansley had just been released from prison 14 months early and moved to a halfway house.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc15.com/news/state/self-proclaimed-qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-from-prison-family-says |title=Self proclaimed 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley released from prison, family says |work=KNXV-TV |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330162543/https://www.abc15.com/news/state/self-proclaimed-qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-released-from-prison-family-says |url-status=live}} In November 2021, Chansley told the court, "Men of honor admit when they're wrong. Not just publicly but to themselves. I was wrong for entering the Capitol. I have no excuse. No excuse whatsoever. The behavior is indefensible."{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Juliana |title=U.S. Capitol rioter the 'QAnon Shaman' is released early from federal prison |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/31/1167319814/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-capitol-riot-early-release-reentry |access-date=March 3, 2024 |work=NPR |date=March 31, 2023}}

On January 20, 2025, after beginning his second term in office, President Trump issued pardons to Chansley and roughly 1,500 other individuals charged with crimes connected to January 6th. Chansley celebrated the pardon on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "J6ers are getting released [and] justice has come. Everything done in the dark will come to light." He also said he would "buy some motha fuckin guns" to commemorate the pardon.

== Disinformation about affiliation and role ==

{{Broader|Antifa (United States)#Capitol attack (2021)|topic=the conspiracy theory that connects antifa to the Capitol attack}}

After the storming of the Capitol, pro-Trump users on Facebook circulated false rumors that Chansley was not a Trump supporter and right-wing advocate but was instead associated with antifa and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and had infiltrated the event as an agent provocateur. Those false reports frequently included a photo of Chansley at a BLM rally in Arizona, cropping out his "Q Sent Me" sign that indicates he was a counter-protester rather than a participant at the rally.{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jake-angeli-viking-capitol-blm/|title=Was Capitol Rioter in Horns and Furs an Antifa Instigator Who Took Part in BLM Protests?|work=Snopes|last=MacGuill|first=Dan|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110005153/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jake-angeli-viking-capitol-blm/|url-status=live}}

In a January 6 tweet from his Twitter account, @USAwolfpack, Chansley contradicted speculations made by Trump campaign lawyer Lin Wood: "Mr. Wood. I am not antifa or blm. I'm a Qanon & digital soldier. My name is Jake & I marched with the police & fought against BLM & ANTIFA in PHX."[https://twitter.com/USAwolfpack/status/1346989136310398977 USAwolfpack tweet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109030658/https://twitter.com/USAwolfpack/status/1346989136310398977 |date=January 9, 2021}}, January 6, 2021.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Ewan |title='QAnon Shaman' Who Stormed Capitol Denies He Is Antifa as Conspiracy Theorists Turn on Him |url=https://www.newsweek.com/qshaman-washington-antifa-protest-qanon-1559599 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=Newsweek |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107235629/https://www.newsweek.com/qshaman-washington-antifa-protest-qanon-1559599 |url-status=live}} Snopes investigated the statement, concluding that he did attend a BLM rally, that he is not affiliated with antifa, and was an active Trump supporter.

There was also disinformation propagated which falsely claimed Chansley colluded with Nancy Pelosi's son-in-law, Michiel Vos, seen in a photo with him outside the Capitol. Snopes wrote that Vos is a reporter with the Dutch free-to-air television channel RTL Nederland, and the image is from a story on the protests which Vos wrote for the Dutch news program RTL Boulevard.{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pelosi-angeli-collude-antifa/|title=Did 'Antifa' Jake Angeli Collude With Nancy Pelosi's Son-in-Law?|work=Snopes|last=MacGuill|first=Dan|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110005929/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pelosi-angeli-collude-antifa/|url-status=live}}

Views

File:Jake Angeli (Qanon Shaman), seen holding a Qanon sign (cropped).jpg

Chansley has stated his unfounded belief that televisions and radios emit "very specific frequencies that are inaudible," that "affect the brain waves of your brain". He has also spoken about the Bilderberg conspiracy theory and said that Freemasons designed Washington, D.C., according to "ley lines" (that crisscross one another at sacred sites of civilizational importance, such as temples, pyramids, the buildings on the National Mall, amplify the Earth's magnetic field, and which have been debunked by archaeologists and statisticians).{{cite book |title=Pagan Britain |last=Hutton |first=Ronald |year=2013 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven and London |isbn=978-0-300-197716 |page=135 }}{{cite web |last=Carroll |first=Robert Todd |title=Ley Lines |website=The Skeptic's Dictionary |url=http://www.skepdic.com/leylines.html |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=16 September 2019 }} During a 2020 interview on ORF, Chansley declared that "in order to beat this evil occultic force you need a light occultic force ... [you need] a force that is of the side of God, of love ... almost like on the side of the angels ... as opposed to the demons." In reflecting on the Capitol storming, Chansley said that "What we did on January 6 in many ways was an evolution in consciousness, because as we marched down the street along these ley lines shouting 'USA' or shouting things like 'freedom'... we were actually affecting the quantum realm."

Prosecutors have alleged that Chansley believes he is an alien or higher being and is destined to ascend to another reality;{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/capitol-riot-charges-1.5874440 |title=U.S. federal officials say more than 100 people in custody so far in Capitol riot investigation |date=January 15, 2021 |work=CBC News |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115084135/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/capitol-riot-charges-1.5874440 |url-status=live}} he purports to be a bodhisattva who remains on this plane of reality to lead other conscious beings to ascend this realm.The David Pakman Show, November 30, 2023 When asked about her son in the wake of the January 2021 attack on the Capitol, his mother, Martha Chansley, said to KNXV-TV, "he's fine," adding that "it takes a lot of courage to be a patriot".

In an interview with journalist George Packer after his release from prison, Chansley expressed great respect for Donald Trump, who, he insisted, had declassified three U.S. patents: “a zero-point-energy engine, infinite free clean energy; a room-temperature superconductor that allows a zero-point-energy engine to function without overheating; and what’s called a TR3B—it’s a triangular-shaped antigravity or inertia-propulsion craft. And when you combine all these things together, you get a whole new socioeconomic-geopolitical system.” He also described the Q poster of QAnon as "a successful psychological operation that disseminated the truth about corruption in our government.”

In popular culture

An animated Chansley appears in the 2021 "South ParQ Vaccination Special" episode of South Park, in which he becomes a home school tutor for "Tutornon".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/south-park-mocks-qanon-conspiracy-theorists-in-new-vaccination-special-2898448|title='South Park' mocks QAnon conspiracy theorists in new 'Vaccination Special'|date=March 11, 2021|first=Tom|last=Skinner|access-date=March 12, 2021|work=NME|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311125427/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/south-park-mocks-qanon-conspiracy-theorists-in-new-vaccination-special-2898448|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/south-park-qanon-trump-vaccines-b1815570.html|last=Massie|first=Graeme|title=South Park special skewers QAnon: 'What you believe is really stupid'|date=March 11, 2021|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=March 18, 2021|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316022046/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/south-park-qanon-trump-vaccines-b1815570.html|url-status=live}} A character dressed in attire similar to Chansley's appears in a 2021 episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia titled "2020: A Year In Review",{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=November 10, 2021 |title='It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' Season 15 Trailer: Cheese, Ghouls & The QAnon Shaman |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-trailer-season-15-fx-1234871623/ |access-date=August 27, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827071023/https://deadline.com/2021/11/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-trailer-season-15-fx-1234871623/ |url-status=live}} as well as a 2021 episode of Reno 911!.{{Cite news |last=Wilstein |first=Matt |date=December 9, 2021 |title='Reno 911' Tries to Takes Down QAnon in Exclusive Trailer for New Special |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/reno-911-tries-to-takes-down-qanon-in-exclusive-trailer-for-new-special |access-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827071025/https://www.thedailybeast.com/reno-911-tries-to-takes-down-qanon-in-exclusive-trailer-for-new-special |url-status=live}} Will Forte's character MacGruber appeared dressed as Chansley in a January 2022 episode of Saturday Night Live.{{Cite web |title=Will Forte Goes Full 'QAnon Shaman' In 'MacGruber' Sketch On 'SNL' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/forte-goes-full-qanon-shaman-080650305.html |access-date=August 27, 2022 |website=sports.yahoo.com |date=January 23, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827071023/https://sports.yahoo.com/forte-goes-full-qanon-shaman-080650305.html |url-status=live}} He is also referenced in the 2024 comedy Unfrosted.{{cite web | url=https://www.vulture.com/article/this-one-joke-in-unfrosted-is-like-an-intrusive-thought.html | title=This One Gag in Jerry Seinfeld's Pop-Tart Movie is Like an Intrusive Thought | date=May 9, 2024 }}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-01 |title=Review {{!}} 'Unfrosted': Seinfeld and friends remake the Pop-Tarts origin story |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2024/05/03/unfrosted-seinfeld-pop-tarts-movie/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

A member of The Stormchasers, supporters of the Nazi character Stormfront, is dressed like Chansley during season 3 of The Boys.{{Cite news |last=Grisar |first=PJ |date=July 14, 2022 |title=On 'The Boys,' our superhero obsession births a familiar fascist |work=The Forward |url=https://forward.com/culture/film-tv/510425/the-boys-season-3-marvel-dc-homelander-nietzsche/ |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128064344/https://forward.com/culture/film-tv/510425/the-boys-season-3-marvel-dc-homelander-nietzsche/ |url-status=live}} The song "Moon Valley High" from AJJ's 2023 album Disposable Everything is about Chansley.{{Cite web |title=AJJ - Moon Valley High |url=https://genius.com/Ajj-moon-valley-high-lyrics |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=genius.com |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829210117/https://genius.com/Ajj-moon-valley-high-lyrics |url-status=live}}